Final answer:
Most Americans consume about 15 ounces of seafood per week, which is not enough to cause concern for high contaminant intake. The EPA advises against eating certain high-mercury fish, suggesting safer alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most Americans do not eat enough fish to cause concern about high intakes of environmental contaminants because they consume only about 15 ounces of seafood per week. The concern relates to biomagnification of heavy metals like mercury and cadmium in larger fish species.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has specific recommendations for pregnant women and young children due to the risks associated with consuming fish high in mercury such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, or tilefish. Instead, safer options like salmon, tilapia, shrimp, pollock, and catfish are suggested because they are low in mercury. Understanding the impact of human activities on biogeochemical cycles can help with making informed decisions about seafood consumption and overall health.